📦

11ty

VS
📦

Craft CMS

11ty vs Craft CMS

11ty vs Craft CMS: which is right for your project? 11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default. Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

Start Migration

TL;DR — Our Recommendation

11ty wins overall, but Craft CMS is better for agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements. Choose 11ty for Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScript. Choose Craft CMS for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature11tyCraft CMS
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

11ty

Pros

  • Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML
  • Supports 10+ template languages (Nunjucks, Liquid, Markdown, etc.)
  • Framework-independent — use any or no JS framework
  • Fast builds and simple mental model

Cons

  • No built-in client-side JS framework for interactive components
  • Smaller ecosystem of plugins and starters than Next.js or Gatsby
  • Less intuitive for developers coming from React/Vue backgrounds
  • Documentation can be hard to navigate

Craft CMS

Pros

  • Excellent content modeling — build any structure without plugins
  • Beautiful, intuitive admin panel that editors love
  • First-class GraphQL and Element API for headless use
  • Matrix fields enable flexible, reusable content blocks

Cons

  • Smaller ecosystem — fewer plugins than WordPress or Drupal
  • License costs for multi-user projects
  • Requires PHP/MySQL hosting infrastructure
  • Fewer community resources and tutorials available

Platform Details

Detail11tyCraft CMS
Language / Stack
JavaScript (multiple template languages)PHP (Yii framework)
Type
ssgtraditional cms
Pricing
Free (open-source)Free solo / $35+/mo for teams
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side JavaScriptAgencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements
Export Method
N/A (destination framework)Element API or GraphQL endpoint

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose 11ty if…

  • You need performance-focused sites that need minimal client-side javascript
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript (multiple template languages)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Choose Craft CMS if…

  • You need agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP (Yii framework)

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between 11ty and Craft CMS depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. 11ty is a ssg built with JavaScript (multiple template languages), while Craft CMS is a traditional cms built with PHP (Yii framework). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Craft CMS's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, 11ty is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Craft CMS (Free solo / $35+/mo for teams) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP offers a free Craft CMS11ty migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 11ty better than Craft CMS?
11ty scores higher overall (25/30 vs 19/30) thanks to better performance. However, Craft CMS is the better choice for Agencies building bespoke sites with complex content requirements.
Can I migrate from 11ty to Craft CMS?
Yes. Export your 11ty content via N/A (destination framework), then import it into Craft CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between 11ty and Craft CMS?
11ty is zero-config javascript ssg that ships zero client js by default, while Craft CMS is developer-focused php cms with elegant content modeling. Key differences: ease of use (11ty: 4/5, Craft CMS: 3/5), pricing (Free (open-source) vs Free solo / $35+/mo for teams), and ecosystem size (11ty: 3/5, Craft CMS: 2/5).
How much does 11ty cost compared to Craft CMS?
11ty: Free (open-source). Craft CMS: Free solo / $35+/mo for teams. 11ty is open-source and free to self-host, while Craft CMS is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, 11ty or Craft CMS?
11ty is easier to pick up (4/5 vs 3/5). Ships zero JavaScript to the browser by default — pure HTML. Craft CMS has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to PHP (Yii framework).
Which performs better, 11ty or Craft CMS?
11ty has the performance edge (5/5 vs 3/5). As a static site generator, 11ty pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Craft CMS may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

Related Comparisons

Explore more comparisons featuring 11ty or Craft CMS

11ty vs Craft CMS Guides

In-depth guides and tutorials to help with your migration

Ready to Migrate?

Move your content between 11ty, Craft CMS, and 60+ other platforms with our free migration tool.

Start Free Migration